Zuma urges South Africans to realize Nelson Mandela's vision of unity

Associated Press

South African President Jacob Zuma announces the death of Nelson Mandela.

South African President Jacob Zuma announces the death of Nelson Mandela. (Associated Press)

Robyn Dixon

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – President Jacob Zuma appealed to fellow South Africans to live up to Nelson Mandela’s ideals and realize his vision of a united country as he announced the death Thursday of the country’s beloved former leader at the age of 95.

"Fellow South Africans, Nelson Mandela brought us together, and it is together that we will bid him farewell," Zuma said in a somber late-night televised address to the nation.

In recent days, Mandela's daughter, Makaziwe, appeared to prepare the nation for this moment. On Tuesday, she said Mandela was on his "deathbed" at his home in Houghton, a Johannesburg suburb.

Zuma said Mandela would have a state funeral and all the flags in the nation would be lowered to half staff until he was buried.

"Let us express each in our own way the deep gratitude we feel for the life spent in the service of this country," Zuma said.

He said South Africa had "lost its greatest son."

"Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss," he said.

Zuma urged South Africans to honor Mandela's legacy by striving for a better world.

"This is indeed the moment of our deepest sorrow. Yet it must also be the moment of our greatest determination, a determination to live as Madiba has lived, to strive as Madiba has strived and to not rest until we have realized his vision of a truly united South Africa, a peaceful and prosperous Africa, and a better world," he said, using Mandela's clan name.